Synthesis of Benzocycloheptanones through Coupling of δ,ε-Unsaturated Chromium Carbene Complexes and 2-Alkynylbenzoyl Derivatives

The coupling of pentenylcarbene complexes and 2-alkynylbenzoyl derivatives affords naphthocycloheptanones in a single step involving simultaneous construction of both the seven-membered ring and one of the aromatic rings. Aryl tethered systems undergo intramolecular cyclopropanation.